McCormick Says ATA-TCA Relations Will Change

SAN DIEGO - American Trucking Associations President Walter B. McCormick Jr., in a blunt speech here to members of the Truckload Carriers Association, said the relationship between the two groups would be markedly changed after Jan. 1, now that TCA has voted not to affiliate with ATA.

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McCormick said "everything TCA members asked for" when he first met with its officials three years ago, "ATA has delivered," such as cutting dues and staff while increasing its advocacy efforts.

Nevertheless, TCA narrowly voted against affiliating with ATA earlier in the year, meaning the two groups will separate on Jan. 1 under ATA's reorganization plan. And, McCormick said, ATA dues revenue from TCA member companies declined in the past year even though overall ATA dues revenue set a new record.

McCormick said TCA would now have to bear all the costs of operating a national association, many of ATA has subsidized in the past.

He also said ATA appreciated the $250,000 that TCA contributed toward the hours-of-service lobbying efforts, but said it was a small part of the $3.75 million ATA spent in its successful push to derail the Department of Transportation's proposed work rule. And he said the lost TCA dues amounted to more than the contribution that group made to the ATA lobbying effort.